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“She’ll love it. Thank you, Dagny.”
“Oh, it’s no trouble.” She waves me off. “If I can get my hands on some fabric, I’ll sew something nicer for ya next time.”
The kitchen door swings open, and Corrin plows through, her eyes finding me. “Where is that boy?”
“In the cellar, sorting potatoes.”
“He most certainly is not! I was just in the cellar, waiting for him.”
“He went down after first meal!” I should have known not to trust him to make it there. “I don’t have time to hunt for him.”
Corrin casts a furtive glance at the guards before lifting her chin to pass them. “What’s goin’ on in here?”
“Dagny brought me some new clothes.”
Corrin saunters over to inspect them. “Anything extra sewn into them that I should know about?” Her eyes widen knowingly as she begins folding Lilou’s dress.
“Well, best I get back to my work.” Dagny sets the other pieces down on the table and, with a smile at Suri, she marches away.
“What was that about?” It’s not the first time Corrin has made a snipe to Dagny sewing things into things.
“Nothing to worry you with. But whatever she gets herself caught up in, don’t you get involved.” Corrin sets Lilou’s dress down and collects mine to fold. “Dagny’s full of gossip and empty of sense.”
Speaking of gossip … “She told me she heard they’re moving up Presenting Day to this Hudem and auctioning off children. Lady Saoirse confirmed it.”
Corrin’s hands falter before she continues, creating a tidy stack of folded clothes. “I suppose it’ll be what it’ll be.”
“But what does that mean?” I peer down at my sleeping baby, a fresh wave of panic surging. “Are they going to take my children from me? Will Mika be auctioned off?”
“Never you mind that. We’ll make sure to warn anyone who so much as bats an eye at him how much trouble he causes.”
“Missing a child?” a male voice calls out. Kazimir lingers by the kitchen’s entrance.
Finding the king’s friend at my door last night was a surprise, but it turned out to be a welcome one. “Yes. Would you know where he is?”
He waggles a finger, beckoning me. “You are going to love this.”
“Oh, child, what have you gotten yourself into now?” With a heavy sigh, I scrub the pastry off my fingers in a bucket of soapy water and trail him out.
“Tell me he didn’t discover that cedar labyrinth.” Ahead, the cobblestone paths disappear into a magnificent array of trees, manicured hedges, and flower gardens. I’ve never seen the royal gardens myself before, but Sabrina said a person could easily get lost in its enormity.
Kazimir chuckles. “If he had, I doubt we would have found him for days. This way.” He leads me to the right, toward the sounds of metal swords clanging. “We were working through our morning routine in the sparring square when we discovered a spectator, hiding in the bush. A guard nearly put an arrow through him.”
I gasp.
“Don’t worry, he is unharmed. The king stopped it before it could happen.”
My heart was already racing with fear for my son. Mention of Atticus has it racing for another reason. He sent me off to another sleepless night, my mind turning his words over, looking for meaning within them.
I would rather Saoirse think you are just the baker.
What am I if not the baker? I ask myself this now, though I know the answer. At least I know what he’s intending.
Is the king still here? I wasn’t expecting to see him this morning, and I don’t need a mirror to know I’m a mess. I comb my fingers through the loose strands of my hair to try to calm it. “I hope you gave Mika a little scare. Otherwise, I can’t promise you won’t find him in the bushes again, now that he knows where the soldiers practice.” He’s always been fascinated with swordplay.
“He’s promised His Highness he’ll sit on the wall next time when he wishes to watch.” Kazimir gestures to the square.
My heart skips a beat at the sight.
Atticus is down on one knee in front of Mika, guiding his fist around a wooden sword to teach him how to hold it properly. “There. Like that. Ready?” He stands and takes a step back, wielding his own wooden sword. He’s in a tunic and breeches, though the air is chilly. “You need to be able to move. Match my stance.”
Mika’s brow furrows as he studies Atticus’s boots intently, before shifting his feet to match.
“Good. Now I’m going to take one step forward and lunge with my sword, and you are going to parry. Do you know what that means?”
Mika notices me watching, and his face splits with a grin, his concentration lost. “Look, Mama! I’m learning how to fight!”
“I see that. And not with just any teacher.” I bow. “Your Highness.”
